Abbeyleix (/ˈæbiliks/; Irish: Mainistir Laoise, meaning "Laois Abbey") is a town in County Laois, Ireland about 14 km (9 mi) from Portlaoise and located on the N77 national secondary route. Formerly the N8National Primary Route ran through the centre of the town, making Abbeyleix an infamous bottleneck on the Dublin-Cork corridor with up to 15,000 vehicles passing through the main street everyday. However, the town was bypassed by the M8 motorway on 28 May 2010.

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Abbeyleix was founded in the 18th century as a town by Viscount de Vesci and is situated near a 12th-century Cistercian monastery beside the River Nore. Today, there is a large range of historical structures still standing in and around the small heritage town - ancient ring forts, burial grounds, churches and beautiful estate houses. The town once had a carpet factory, established in 1904 by Yvo de Vesci, the 5th Viscount – notably producing some of the carpets used on the RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic.[2]

Heritage House is the heritage centre, with visitor information and an exhibition on the county's history and local attractions. Original antique carpets and vintage costumes are on display alongside archaeological and historical artefacts. The enclosed playground on site has attractive wooden play equipment with a maritime theme to tie in with the Titanic connection. Heritage House is open Tuesday - Saturday 9-5.

There is a district hospital in the town, and a number of shops and pubs, such as Morrissey's Pub, which claims to be the oldest in Ireland. The Father Breen Park forms the nexus for a great many activities, providing fields for soccer, football and other sports, while the adjacent CYMS hall is home to numerous clubs, such as boxing and Tae-Kwon-Do. Heritage House also provides guided tours of the museum and runs workshops throughout the year - training and meeting rooms are available. A newly built hotel - the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel - has 46 bedrooms and includes a new state-of-the-art Conference Suite.

Abbeyleix Market House is a 5 bay, 2 storey building which was until 2005 used as a Fire Station and Library. It has been renovated as a state of the art library/exhibition centre.

The de Vesci estate on the Ballacolla road with its beautiful gardens is open to the public one day a year. All proceeds from this opening are given to a local charity.

Heritage House is a visitor centre with information and maps for the local area, free 24hr parking as well as a community museum - a natural orientation point. Main Street. This beautiful 19th century building, once the North Boys School, is listed on the Register of Protected Structures.

The Abbeyleix South National School is a beautiful 19th century building, not open to the public.

Morrissey's public house on Main Street is a must for any visitor to the town.

Preston House on Main Street is an old school house.

Sextons House is a renovated 19th century cottage, run by Abbeyleix Heritage Company, tours and all access via Heritage House.

Abbeyleix Further Education Centre, located on the Mountrath Road, is housed in a former Technical School and is a good example of the school architecture of the time.